Here are the top Virginia stories for Monday, October 5, 2026 — with a focus on the issues hitting residents’ wallets and the local headlines Northern Virginians are talking about.
Fuel and home energy costs keep rising
Virginia’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.13, according to USA Today citing AAA data published October 4. Diesel prices in the Commonwealth have hit record highs above $6.30 a gallon — roughly 78% higher than a year ago — squeezing trucking, farming, and other fuel-dependent businesses, according to Virginia Business. Meanwhile, customers of Columbia Gas of Virginia will pay about $10.81 more per month (an 11.1% increase) for a typical residential bill under an interim rate increase taking effect October 12, with regulators still reviewing the company’s request and another increase pending.
$64 million LG plant in Isle of Wight County to create 164 jobs
LG Electronics will build a $63.9 million HVAC chiller assembly facility at Shirley T. Holland Intermodal Park in Isle of Wight County, with production set to begin in the first half of 2027. The project is expected to create 164 jobs manufacturing large air-cooled chillers for industrial customers.
Murder trial opens in Prince William County
Jury selection begins today at 10 a.m. in the trial of Naresh Bhatt, a 39-year-old Manassas man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, 28, who disappeared in August 2024. Bhatt, in custody since his August 2024 arrest, also faces charges of concealing and defiling a dead body; her body has never been recovered.
Manassas community grieves two fathers killed in workplace shooting
Northern Virginia is mourning Richard “Ricky” Lamot, 48, and Christopher Serrano, 33, the two fathers killed in a workplace shooting at a United Rentals facility in Manassas. Police say employee Marvin Grant, 37, opened fire on co-workers before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff on I-81; a third victim was reported in stable condition. A GoFundMe for Serrano’s family has raised more than $42,000.
Early voting underway in Virginia’s 2026 midterms
Virginians have cast 349,000 ballots in the first two weeks of early voting, with Democrats leading statewide by 24.9 points, though turnout volume is down 3.6% compared to 2025. An AP-NORC poll released this month shows voters favor Democrats on cost of living and healthcare ahead of the November 3 election.
Sources: Fox5DC; Virginia Business; USA Today / The List Wire; thecooldown.com via Cardinal News; fundsforNGOs; news-usa.today / Blue Virginia.
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